Suffering?

Suffering?

You ever felt as though you are going through a lot of suffering? Maybe a relative has passed or people that were once really close to you no longer talk to you. Maybe you have a sickness that burdens you down moment after moment and though you have begged God for healing over and over, He does not take it away. Whatever it may be you are suffering, and perhaps you are a bit discouraged. 

Well, be encouraged! You are not alone. Everyone is going through some kind of hardship. There are many who have gone through or are going through the same problem as you are going through. Reach out and be an encouragement to others and you will be surprised how much of a blessing you can be to someone or how much of a blessing they prove to be to you. Don’t build a wall around yourself or become self pitying.

Be thankful in all things knowing that God has a purpose in everything He brings into your life. REMEMBER: HE IS IN CONTROL! How encouraging to know that God is looking out for you. The one who is in control of all things has your best in mind. He gives you just what you need, often times, before you even ask Him. He is a wonderful Father who cares much for His own and He never EVER forgets you and will never EVER forsake you. You never have to worry about Him never talking to you because of some mistake you may have made or not made. God is not a man! Hallelujah!  

Be encouraged! Christ has also suffering much and understands what you are going through! He always has an open ear to hear your cry. He is never too busy to listen.

You ever lost a best friend? So did He. Remember Judas Iscariot? Yes, one of the very 12 that Jesus chose to be one of His followers already knowing that he would betray Him. Jesus shared His deepest thoughts with Judas along with the other disciples.

You ever felt like your friends weren’t there for you when you really needed them? Remember when Jesus was in the garden? Remember how much agony He was in? (Luke 22:44 ~ And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.) Where were His friends when he needed them most? Judas was in the process of betraying Him and the rest were falling asleep. Only God was there for Jesus when He needed encouragement.

You ever have a friend lie to you? Tell you they will be there for you always and support you no matter what? Remember Peter? Remember what he said to Jesus? Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.” But later on, when things got harder Peter failed to keep his promise and denied even knowing his friend Jesus.  

You have a lot of bodily pain? Well, Jesus went through that too. He suffered a very hard death. Read Isaiah 53. Jesus when through pain! He understands! He knows what it’s like. (Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.)  

What does the Word say about suffering? Why must we suffer so?  

1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Here are 3 good verses about suffering. We see through them that suffering is designed to help us. That’s right! Suffering is actually a good thing! Suffering perfects us or completes us thoroughly it is a very important step in the process of our spiritual growth. It causes us to be steadfast. It strengthens us in God and His Word and teaches us to wholly trust God. Suffering helps us to lay a basis or foundation for ourselves. Suffering gives us a greater understanding of the harm sin does to us and causes us to cease from our sinful ways and be holy. God uses suffering to teach us to obey Him. So you see, God has a perfect plan for allowing us to suffer and has much that He wants to teach us through our suffering. It is through our suffering that we are drawn closer to God.

We are called to suffer. It is the next step after salvation. God wants us to go through suffering and hardships because He knows that is how we are purged and made like His Son.

Phil. 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Copyrighted 2012 By Elizabeth Anne Claytor